There are a host of different types of play in the NFL. While some are defensive masterpieces like the Blitz, the teams can aptly capitalize on several other offensive strategies to maximize their chances in a game. One such strategy for the teams going into a match is to get into the red zone and look to convert. Now, there might be some confusion regarding what exactly a red zone in the NFL is. Here’s everything you need to know about a red zone in football.
What Is A Red Zone?
The NFL gridiron is divided into different areas, each with a designated name. Similarly, a red zone is the final 20 yards in the opponent’s territory. This is one of the most important areas in an NFL field, as it is from here that the chances of scoring become very high. A rushing offensive player has the opportunity to either kick the ball for a field goal or even look for a touchdown from a red zone. Usually, a team scoring the most number of points in the red zone is likely to walk away with victory.
Is It Difficult To Score In A Red Zone?
Well, it is true that the conversion chances are much higher inside the red zone of an opponent. However, at the same time, it is not a child’s play to score inside the area. This is because the opponent’s defense will try its best to block the run and prevent the scoring. They will also have the best of their defensive athletes in the red zone.
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Moreover, aside from the quality of defense, the available vertical and horizontal spaces are also limited inside the Red Zone. Usually, an onrushing offense will only have 30 yards of vertical space to play with. Thus, athletes of the highest skill sets are required to properly exploit the opportunity.
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How Does A Defense Thwart Opponents In The Red Zone?
Now, it is a given that once the opponent enters a red zone, the defending team is bound to give up some points. While the defenders would want to block as many attacking plays as they can, there is always a risk of the opponent scoring some valuable points.
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Memphis running RB Scissors in the Red Zone ✂️ pic.twitter.com/gaAwY9hiNv
— Jake Franklin Football (@JakeFranklinFB) December 1, 2024
However, in the best vasectomy scenario, the defense would like to stop the incoming players from scoring a touchdown and walking away with some extra points. But in the case of extremely good defensive play, a defender can force a turnover, where the attacker loses a ball. This then provides the opportunity for the defending team to initiate a fresh attack.
Why Is The Red Zone So Important?
A Red Zone is the area where a team can maximize its points. Usually, an NFL game witnesses a lot of field goals. While the field goal is very important for consistently scoring in the match, a touchdown will probably make the difference in the end. The difference between a field goal and a touchdown is 4 points. Thus, it is no wonder that the team with the most touchdowns in a game usually comes out on top.
How Did The Term Red Zone Originate?
The history of the Red Zone dates back to the late 1990s. Steve Eskey initially introduced the term ‘Red Zone’ in 1979. Since then, it has become a popularly used phrase in the NFL. Over the years, it has become so important that there are dedicated stats for Red Zone plays. You can often see games portraying the Red Zone scoring efficiency for the offensive athletes.
Is The Green Zone Related To The Red Zone?
No, the Green Zone is not related to the Red Zone. The green zone is usually referred to as the area between the first down line and the line of scrimmage. However, the red zone is only the last 20-yard zone. Thus, with the meaning and other details sorted, how well the teams can exploit the Red Zone this season in the NFL remains to be seen.
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